Pliers.



Z. B. RICHARD.

PLIERS.

APPLIQATION FILED Palms, 1913.

1,090,941. a Patented Mar. 24, 1914 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINOTON. D. c.

rap s'rnsrann snip ZACI-IAR-IE B. RICHARD, OF LA FAYETTE, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-EIGHTH TO OSCAR KILPATRICK AND ONE-EIGHTH T0 WILLIAM DAVIS, BOTH OF LA FAYETTE,

LOUISIANA.

PLIERS.

osoear.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZAOHARIE B. RICHARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at La Fayette, in the parish of Lafayette and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Pliers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pliers or clamps for splicing wires, such as are employed by linemen, electricians or other mechanics, artisans for splicing sections of wire or for use in divers other purposes.

The present invention comprehends the provision of means whereby the handles of the pliers may be more conveniently and effectively brought together for splicing the sections of wire, this invention being ap plicable to ordinary pliers and to pliers embodying reversible handles.

As another object, the present inventlon contemplates the provision of a device of the character indicated which shall be simple, substantial, durable and inexpenslve in construction, as well as compact, and which shall be convenient, eflicient and simple in its use.

With the foregoing general objects outlined, and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the invention is better understood, the present invention resides in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed, it being understood that this invention may be altered or changed in its details in accordance with the dictates of convenience or efficiency within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the in vention.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters have been employed to denote corresponding parts, and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of pliers embodying reversible handles and including the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental section of the reversible clamping means. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of the said means. Fig. 4t is a perspective view of a cuff employed in carrying out the present invention. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an ordinary form of pliers embodying the present invention.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 28, 1913.

Patented Mar. 2%, 191a. Serial No. 751,347.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental detail of a pair of blacksmiths tongs.

Referring specifically to the drawings, particularly to Figs. 1 to 4:, inclusive, the handles of the pliers are designated by the letter H, the same being connected at one end by links L and including the jaws J having the notches or recesses N along their opposite faces. The handles H are adapted to be reversed so as to bring the corresponding sets of notches N into cooperation or reglstration, as is practised and well known in the art. It is the practice at present, to pivot a link to the free end of one handle so that the said link may be swung to either side to engage the other handle when the wires to be spliced are clamped between the jaws. Pliers of this character are more or less difficult to use, for the reason that it requires considerable contractive force upon the handles to bring the handles sufficiently together to permit the engagement of the link with the free handle, and for other reasons which need not be enumerated. This serious objection has been overcome by a novel arrangement for bringing the handles of the pliers together and locking the same in such position; and in carrying out the present invention, the free end of one handle is preferably enlarged as designated by the numeral 6, and is provided with a primary and a secondary reduced portion 7 and 8, respectively, which are in the form of a stepped projection. A cuff or collar 10 is rotatably mounted on the reduced portions 7 and 8, the said cuff having the bore 11 and the counter-bore 12 receiving the secondary and primary portions 8 and 7, respectively. The secondary reduced portion 8 is riveted or swaged over the outer end of the cuff 10 in order to retain the cuff in position and to permit same to rotate freely. This cuff 10 is provided with diametrically opposite trunnions 13 at its outer end and apertures 14 diametrically opposite each other at the inner end of the said cuff, the cuff also having transverse channels or grooves 15 at the outer ends of the apertures 14-. The cuff 10 is preferably of the same diameter as the enlarged portion 6 so as to present a sightly and neat appearance. A lever 16 is pivoted to the cuff 10, the said lever being U-shaped in cross-section, the

for giving an outward tension thereto.

flanges thereof terminating in ears 17 at one end, which ears are in engagement with the trunnions 13. The intermediate portion of the lever 16 is curled backward from between the ears 17 to provide an eye 18, which is spaced outwardly from the pivoted point of the lever. The lever 16 when swung against the outer side of the corresponding handle is adapted to fit over or straddle the handle so as to provide a compact arrangement, the particular shape of the handle presenting a convenient surface for handling same. A U-shaped link 19 is pivoted to the lever 16, the said link having the eyes 20 at its ends, and a pin or rivet 21 passes through the eyes 20 and 18 for providing the pivotal connection of the link and lever. This link 19 has a web 22 connecting its arms and providing a plurality of handle receiving openings 23. In order to lock the cuff 10 in the proper position upon the corresponding handle, a hea 25 has been arranged in the radial recess 9 drilled in the portion 7 and is provided with a projecting nib or spur 26 engageable in the apertures 14 of the cult, a compression spring of coiled wire, designated by the numeral 24, being disposed in the recess 9 behind the head 25 It will therefore follow, that when the cuff 10 is turned to the proper position to bring one of the apertures 14 into registration with the recess 9, the spring 24 will press the nib or spur 26 into engagement with the corresponding aperture so as to constrain or look the cuif against rotary movement. By inserting any suitable instrument or even the finger in the corresponding channel 15, the. nib 26 may be forced inwardly against the tension of the spring 24 so as to disengage the end and permit the cuff to be reversed in which event, the nib will engage the other aperture. The cuff is in this manner locked in either position corresponding to the position of the handles H relative to each other, as will be understood.

The use of pliers of this character is well understood in the art and need not be described at length, and it will appear that by swinging the lever 16 outwardly, or in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the link 19may be engaged to the other or free handle so that when the lever is swung inwardly and against the outer side of the handle to which it is pivoted, the handles will be drawn together to clamp the sections of wire between the jaws J. It will therefore appear, that the handles H need not be drawn together by the application of the hand or hands thereon, but it is merely nec essary to engage the link 19 to the free han' dle and then swing the lever 16 inwardly against the corresponding handle, which provides for increased leverage so that the handles may be easily and conveniently drawn together. The, link 19 beingpivoted to the lever 16 outwardly from its pivotal point. will cause the lever and link to lock in position when the handles are drawn together, or swing beyond dead center, the lever 16 fitting snugly against the corresponding handle or straddling the same. From the foregoing, it will also be apparent, that when the handles H are reversed, the cuiflO may be reversed so that the link 19 may be engaged to the free handle to permit the handles to be drawn together. The various openings 23 which engage with the loose or free handle permit the free handle to be engaged in various positions, the said openings being particularly provided when the attachment is employed with various pliers, tongs or the like, so as to enable the link to properly engage the free handle.

When the invention is to be employed in connection with an ordinary pair of pliers, such as illustrated in Fig. 5, the ears 17 are pivoted to the usual eye E provided at the free end of one handle H by means of the usual pin P. This form of pliers, as is customary, embodies the jaws having the complementing notches Nfor receiving the sec tions of wire when the pliers are used for splicing. It will be readily apparent, that the lever 16 in being swung outwardly permits the link 19 to be engaged'with the other provided with the notch (it. This view illustrates how the lever 16 illustrated in Fig. 5 may be detachably engaged to the upper handle H of the'pliers illustrated in the said figure. Supposing the upper handle in Fig. 5 to be provided with a notch G as illustrated in Fig. 6, said notch would be adapted to receive the pin P to permit the link 19 to be engaged over the lower handle H, and to then permit the lever 16 to be swung to locking position, as above stated. The eye E is preferable when the lever 16 is to be permanently attached to the upper handle, while the notch G is preferable when it is desired to permit the lever 16 to be readily applied and removed from the pliers or tongs.

From the foregoing, taken in connection objects aimed at are attained in a satisfaetory manner, the present invention providing a desirable device of the character indicated and for the purposes to which it is designed.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is l. The combination with pivotally connected handles, of a lever pivoted to the free end of one handle and adapted to swing against the outer side thereof, and a link pivoted to the lever and engageable with the other handle.

2. The combination with pivotally connected handles, of a lever having a pair of ears at one end straddling and pivotedto the end of one handle, and a U-shaped link designed to engage the other handle and having its ends pivoted to the lever.

3. The combination with pivotally connected handles, of a lever of U-shaped crosssection, the flanges of which terminate in cars at one end straddling and pivoted to the free end of one handle, the intermediate portion of the lever being curled back from between the ears to provide an eye, a pin passing through the eye, and a U-shaped link designed to engage the other handle and having its ends connected to the said pin.

4. An attachment for pliers, including a lever designed to be pivoted to the free end of one handle so as to swing against the outer side of the handle, and a link pivoted to the lever and engageable with the other handle.

5. An attachment for pliers, embodying a lever having a pair of cars at one end designed to straddle and to be pivoted to the free end of one handle so that the lever may'swing against the outer side of the handle, and a U-shaped link engageable with the other handle and having its ends pivoted to the lever.

6. An attachment for pliers, embodying a lever of U-shaped cross-section, the flanges of which terminate in ears at one end adapted to straddle and to be pivoted to the free end of one handle of the pliers, the intermediate portion of the lever being curled back from between the ears to provide an eye, a pin passing through the eye, and a U-shaped link designed to engage the other handle and having its ends connected to the said pin.

7. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, of a lever pivotally and rotatably connected to the free end of one handle, and a link pivoted to the lever and engageable with the other handle.

8. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, of a rotatable cufi' on the free end of one handle, a lever pivoted to the cufi", and a link pivoted to the lever and engageable with the other handle.

9. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, of a cufi rotatable on the free end of one handle and having diametrically opposite trunnions, a lever having ears at one end engaged to the trunnions, and a U-shaped link designed to engage the other handle and having its ends pivoted to the lever.

10. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, of a rotatable cuff on the free end of one handle and having diametrically opposite trunnions, a lever of U shaped cross-section, the flanges of which terminate in ears at one end engaging the said trunnions, the intermediate portion of the lever being curled back from between the ears to provide an eye, a pin passing through the eye, and a U-shaped link engageable with the other handle and having its ends connected to the said pin.

11. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, of a cuif rotatable upon the free end of one handle, a lever pivoted to the cuif, a link pivoted to the lever and engageable with the other handle, and means for locking the cufl in reversed positions.

12. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, one handle having a reduced portion at its free end, of a cut]? rotatable on the reduced portion and having diametrically opposite trunnions, the reduced portion being riveted over the outer end of the cuff, a lever of U-shaped crosssection, the flanges of which terminate in ears at one end pivoted to the said trunnions, theintermediate portion of the lever being curled back from between the ears to provide an eye, a pin passing through the eye, a U-shaped link engageable with the other handle and having its ends connected to the pin, and means for locking the end in reversed positions.

13. In combination with pliers embodying reversible handles, one handle having a reduced portion at its free end and a radial recess in the reduced portion, of a cufi rotatable on the reduced portion and having diametrically opposite apertures in its inner end and diametrically opposite trunnions at its outer end, the reduced portion being riveted over the outer end of the oufl and the cuff having transverse channels at the outer ends of the apertures, a head in the said recess and having an outer nib engageable through the said apertures, a compression spring in the recess behind the said head, a lever of U-shaped cross-section, the flanges of which terminate in ears at one end pivoted to the said trunnions, the intermediate portion of the lever being curled back from between the ears to provide an eye, a pin passing through the eye, and a U-shaped link having its ends connected to the said 1n. p 14. An attachment for pliers embodying a cufl adapted to rotatably engage the end 01 one handle of the pliers, a leverpivoted to the cniand a link pivoted to the lever and engageable with the other handle of the pliers.

15. An attachment for pliers embodying a cufi' adapted to rotatably engage over the end of one handle of the pliers and having diametrically opposite trunnions, a lever having ears at one end engaged over the 10 trunnions, and a U-shaped link having its terminals pivoted to the leverand adapted toengage over the end of the other handle of the pliers. 7

I 11 testimonythat I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signa- J 3 Copies of this patent may be obtained for five gents each, by addressing the Commissioner oiJEB- tentz.

' Washington, D. G. 

